Science and Rationalists' Association of India

Science and Rationalists' Association of India
Non-profit organization
Industry Education
Founded 1985, Kolkata, India
Headquarters Kolkata, India

The Science and Rationalists' Association of India (Bengali: ভারতীয় বিজ্ঞান ও যুক্তিবাদী সমিতি, Bharatiya Bigyan O Yuktibadi Samiti) is a rationalist group based in Kolkata, India.

History

Inspired by Sri Lankan rationalists, Dr. Abraham Kovoor, Bengali rationalists established an organization called 'Bharater Yuktibadi Samity' on March 1, 1985, the international rationalists' day. Two years later, in 1987, it was renamed as 'Bharatiya Bigyan O Yuktibadi Samiti'.[1] Prabir Ghosh, the author of 'Aloukik Noy Loukik' series was the founder secretary and Dr. Dhirendranath Gangopadhyay was the first president of this organization. Eminent science communicators Amit Chakraborty, Aparajito Basu, Jugalkanti Ray, Shankar Chakraborty and others were also associated during its formation.[2] In 1986, Ghosh published the first book of the 'Aloukik Noy Loukik' series, debunking various superstitious beliefs. It received wide circulation among Bengali readers of both West Bengal and Bangladesh, and the Rationalists' Association gained popularity.[3]

Activities

The organization's main goal is to advocate against pseudoscience, specifically astrology; and mysticism.[4][5] "Guru busters: In a land of innumerable gods, atheism lives. With Bertrand Russell as their guide, the Indian Science and Rationalists' Association campaigns in cold logic. Last weekend it was overpowered by astrologists, but that setback was purely physical ..and temporary. Tim McGirk reports." 'The Independent' 'Wednesday 2 March 1994'[6]

References

  1. ↑ Ghosh, Prabir. Sanskriti: Samgharsa O Nirman, Kolkata, 1993, p.67, 80.
  2. ↑ Chatterjee, Sabyasachi. The Movement for the Development of Rationalism in West Bengal. IHC:Proceedings, 71st Session, 2010-11 Contemporary History of India, p.1216 - 1217.
  3. ↑ Chatterjee, Sabyasachi. The Movement for the Development of Rationalism in West Bengal. IHC:Proceedings, 71st Session, 2010-11 Contemporary History of India, p.1218.
  4. ↑ Mohapatra, Satyen. "Feeling ill? It could be the planets: Govt study." Hindustan Times. 2008-09-06.
  5. ↑ Mukherjee, Amit. "Celestial Lucre; It's economics for most. For others, the future of commodities is written in the stars." Business Today. New Dehli. 2008-09-06.
  6. ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/guru-busters-in-a-land-of-innumerable-gods-atheism-lives-with-bertrand-russell-as-their-guide-the-indian-science-and-rationalists-association-campaigns-in-cold-logic-last-weekend-it-was-overpowered-by-astrologists-but-that-setback-was-purely-physical-and-temporary-tim-mcgirk-reports-1426377.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links